Spray attachment for fluid containers



June 5, 1951 F, zmERL 2,555,051

SPRAY ATTACHMENT FOR FLUID CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 5, 1948 '5 2Sheets-Sheet 1 n III I I K 13 v i0 if a 7 9 6 ,n i z 5 IN V EN TOR.

JLM

A T TOPIVEY June 5, 1951 F. ZIHERL SPRAY ATTACHMENT FOR FLUID CONTAINERS2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 5, 1948 FIG. 5

Patented June 5, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SPRAY ATTACHMENT FORFLUID CONTAINERS Frank Ziherl, Euclid, Ohio Application October 5, 1948,Serial No. 52,838

9 Claims. 1

This invention relates, as indicated, to a spray attachment for fluidcontainers, but has reference more particularly to an attachment of thischaracter which has been designed especially for use in connection withcontainers of insecticides.

A primary object Of the invention is to provide a spray attachment ofthe character described, utilizing a reciprocable plunger, and in whichmeans have been incorporated for obtaining a spraying action on bothstrokes of the plunger.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spray attachment of thecharacter described, in which means have been incorporated forsustaining the spraying action at the termination of each stroke of theplunger, thereby effecting a substantially continuous spraying action.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spray attachment ofthe character described, in which means have been incorporated to permitrelease of air pressure within the attachment, thereby preventingundesirable leakage of fluid through the nozzle of the device after thespraying operation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a spray attachmentof the character described, having a nozzle insert of advantageousconstruction embodied therein.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, andin which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughoutthe same,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a spray attachmentembodying the invention, and showing also the manner in which it issecured to a fluid container;

Fig. 2 is a view of a portion of Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale, and withthe nozzle in longitudinal cross-section;

Fig. 3 is a, cross-sectional view, taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view of a portion of Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale, and withthe relief valve in longitudinal cross-section;

Fig. 5 is a view of a portion of Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale, and withthe fluid intake valve in longitudinal cross-section, and

Fig. 6 is a view of a portion of Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale, and withthe lower end of the spray attachment in longitudinal crosssection.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the spray attachment willbe seen to comprise the body member I, having central passageway 2within which a plunger 3 is reciprocable, the plunger having threadedlysecured to its upper end a handle or knob 4, by means of whichreciprocal movement of the plunger is effected.

The body member I is counterbored as at 5 to form an air reservoir orchamber 5, the function of which will be presently explained.

The upper end of the counterbore 5 is threaded as at I for the receptionof the threads I! of the reduced extension 9 of a body plug II), avegetable fiber washer II being interposed between the upper end of thebody member I and the body plug to insure a fluid-tight seal at thisjoint. The body plug I 0 has a central opening I2, in which the plunger3 slides during its reciprocal movement, and the plug is counterbored asat l3 for the reception of an O ring I4 of synthetic rubber or the like,which ring is held against displacement axially from the plug by meansof a cap I5, which is threadedly secured to the plug I0. The cap I 4serves also as a guide for the plunger 3 during reciprocal movement ofthe latter. The function of the ring I4 will he presently explained.

The body member I is also counterbored below the passageway 2, as at I6,and this counterbore is threaded, for the connection to the body memberof a tube I 'I, which is in axial alignment with the passageway 2.

The passageway 2 communicates with a radially-extending fluid passagewayI8 in the member I, which terminates in a conical seat IS for a ball 20.The ball 28 normally closes the passageway I8, being normally urgedagainst the seat I9 by a compression coil spring 2 i.

The body member I is threaded as at 22 for the attachment thereto of anozzle 23 having a nozzle or spray opening 24. The nozzle 23 has aninner cylindrical wall 25 which terminates at the base of a conicalforward wall 26, the apex of which lies at the bottom of the nozzle orspray opening 24.

Disposed within the nozzle .23 is a nozzle insert 21, which is ofhexagonal cross-section, having flat sides 2-8, which coact with thecylindrical wall '25 to provide a multiplicity of passageways 29 for thefluid which is to be sprayed. The insert 27 has an extension 39 which iscylindrical for a por tion of its length and has a frusto-conicalextension 3| which bears against the conical wall 26 of the nozzle 23,the angle of this frustc-conical extension 3| being the same as that ofthe conical wall 26. The insert 2'! is provided with a secondfrusto-conical extension 32, forwardly of 66 the extension 3 I, butspaced from the wall 26, the

angle of the extension 32 being the same as that of the extension 3| andwall 2 6. The space between'the extension 32 and wall 26 forms anannular passageway 33, the function of which will be presentlydescribed.

The nozzle insert 21 has a series of circumferentially-spaced notches orgrooves 34 cut therein, which extend tangentially with respect to thecylindrical extension 39 and has diverging side walls, as better shownin applicants copending application, Serial No. 722,213. These groovesextend generally in the direction of the incline of the frusto-conicalextension 3!, so that fluid directed through the grooves will be forcedto-= Ward the nozzle opening 24.

The nozzle insert 2! is normally maintained in the position shown inFig. 2 by means of the compression coil spring 2!, which is interposedbetween the nozzle insert and the ball 28.

The passageway 2 in the body member I also communicates with aradially-extending passageway 35, in axial alignment with the passagewayI8, the passageway 35 is counterbored at its inner end to provide arecess 36 for the conical head 31 of a plug valve 38 which is mountedfor reciprocal sliding movement in the passageway 35. The conical faceof the head 31 is normally seated on the conical seat 39 formed at thejuncture of the passageway 35 and counterbore 36, so as to seal oficommunication therebetween. A collar 49 is pressfitted to the outer endof the plug valve 38, and constitutes a button for actuating the valve,as will be presently explained.

\ The passageway 35 is counterbored at its outer end to provide a recess4| for a synthetic rubber washer 42, and the recess 4| is counterboredto provide a recess 43 for a cup-like spring seat 44, within which acompression coil spring 45 is disposed. The spring 45 isdnterposedbetween the seat 44 and the collar 49, and acts normally to maintain thevalve 38 in closed position, i. e., with the head 31 thereof seated onthe seat 39. The washer 42 acts to seal off any possibility of fluidleakage between the body membr l and valve 38.

The body member I is provided in its lower end with an annular groove orrecess 45, and a passageway 35 to establish communication therebetween,for a purpose to be presently described.

As previously stated, the tube ll is threadedly secured to the bodymember I, and is provided with a valve seat 48, which is locked againstaxial displacement relatively to the tube by forming the tube over ashoulder 49 of the valve seat, and flanging the lower end of the tubeover into engagement with the valve seat, as best shown in Fig. 6. Ascreen 59 is interposed between the valve seat 48 and the flange of thetube. A ball 52 is disposed on the valve seat, normally closing theopening 53 in the valve seat. The wall of the tube I1 is provided withindentations 54 at circumferentially-spaced points, which serve toprevent displacement of the ball 52 to a point above these indentations.

Secured in threaded engagement with the lower end of the plunger 3 is avalve body 55 having an axial passageway 56 extending therethrough,which is counterbored, as at 51, for the reception of a ball 58, whichnormally closes the passageway 55. The portion of the valve body inwhich the ball 58 is disposed is of slightly smaller external diameterthan the internal diameter of the tube I1, providing an annularpassageway 59 between the valve body and tube. This passageway 59communicates with the counterbore 51 through ports, or openings 69 andGI, which extend radially through the valve body.

The lower portion of the valve body is provided with an annular flange62, between which and a nut 63 a synthetic rubber cup 64 is clamped.This cup 64 forms a substantially fluid-tight seal between the valvebody 55 and the inner wall of the tube IT. The nut 63 is threadedlysecured to the lower end of the valve body 55 and has an opening 63atherein, in alignment with the passageway 56.

The nozzle 23 may also be provided with a screen 65, if so desired.

For the purpose of securing the spray attachment to a fluid container,in this case a glass bottle B, an internally-threaded bottle cap 66 isprovided, which is loosely supported by a flange 6'! of the body memberi, the cap 66 normally carrying an annular washer 5B, which acts as aseal when the spray attachment is secured to the fluid container bymeans of the cap 56, as shown in Fig. 1.

The method of using the aforesaid spray attachmentwill now be brieflydescribed.

As the handle 4 is pulled upwardly (Fig. 1),

the plunger 3 produces a suction within the space between the plungerand ball 52, thereby causing the ball to be lifted from its seat, andcausing a small quantity of the fluid in the bottle 3 to be drawn upinto this space. As this occurs, the ball 58 remains seated. The ball 29remains seated on the initial upstroke, but opens on each succeeding upand down stroke of the handle. Then, as the handle 4 is pusheddownwardly, a pressure is set up in this space, causing the ball 52 tobe reseated, and unseating the ball 58. At the same time, the fluid insaid space if forced through the opening 630., the passageway 56, portsand 6 l, passageway 59, the space between the plunger 3 and tube ll,passageway 2, passageway l8, and ball seat 19, unseating the ball 29.The fluid then passes through the nozzle, through the passageways 29,and through the grooves 34 and nozzle opening 24.

Some of the fluid bypasses the nozzle and flows upwardly through thepassageway 35 and into the air chamber 5, compressing the air in thischamber.

The handle 4 is again pulled upwardly, drawing a fresh supply of fluidinto the space between the plunger 3 and ball 52. At the same time,however, excess fluid which has previously been trapped in the spacebetween the plunger 3 and tube ii is expelled trhough the nozzle 23, sothat, in this way, a spraying action is obtained on both strokes of theplunger 3, so that a double action is, in effect, secured.

As the air in the chamber 6 becomes increas ingly compressed by leakageof excess fluid into this chamber, this compressed air beccmes effectiveto automatically continue the spraying action for a brief interval atthe end of each stroke of the plunger 3, so that the periods orintcrvals of non-spraying between strokes are reduced. In this manner, asubstantially continuous spraying action is obtained.

When the pressure of the air in the chamber 8 becomes excessive, thisair will produce a, spraying action even after the spraying operation isdiscontinued. In other words, an undesirable leakage or loss of fluidthrough the nozzle occurs. In order to relieve the pressure which causessuch leakage, the button 49 is pushe inwardly, thereby unseating thevalve head 31.

This permits the compressed air within the chamber 6 to force the fluidin said chamber through the passageways 35 and 41 and back into thebottle B. In this way, the straight stream leakage through the nozzle iseliminated.

The spray produced by the nozzle insert 27 is of conical shape and isdiffused in the form of a mist or fine spray. The tangential arrangementof the grooves 34 imparts a whirling or twirling movement or action tothe spray, which is highly eifective for diffusion purposes. The lengthof the spray or stream can be accurately controlled by the intensity orspeed of the reciprocating action of the plunger. By providing theannular space 33 between the extension 32 and Wall 26, any foreignparticles which might otherwise become lodged in the grooves 34 have anopportunity of becoming freed by the swirling action of the fluid inthis space.

The O ring i4 not only acts as a seal or gasket to prevent the fluidfrom passing upwardly through the cap 15, but also produces a desiredwiping or cleaning action on the plunger 3. The screen 50 is effectiveto prevent foreign matter from finding access from the bottle 13 intothe tube l1.

Most of the metallic parts of the spray attachment are made of acorrosion-resistant metal such as brass or aluminum.

The sprayer has been so designed that the various parts can be readilyassembled, replaced if ncessary, and can be easily disassembled forcleaning purposes. Each part is so designed as to permit of manufacturein commercially desirable quantities on standard screw machine and atfairly low cost.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention, herewith shown anddescribed, is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and thatvarious changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may beresorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention, or thescope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A spray attachment of the character described, said attachmentcomprising a body member adapted for attachment to a fluid container,said body member having a constricted axial passageway and an annularchamber of substantially larger diameter than said passageway forming anair compression chamber, a plunger reciprocally movable in said bodymember through said chamber and axial passageway, and a nozzle removablysecured to said body member and extending radially therefrom, saidnozzle communicating with said axial passageway.

2. A spray attachment, as defined in claim 1, in which said body memberhas a passageway in axial alignment with said nozzle, and aspringpressed valve for closing said passageway, said valve-closedpassageway communicating with said constricted axial passageway.

3. A spray attachment, as defined in claim 2, in which opening of saidvalve releases the air pressure in said chamber, and bleeds fluidtherein back into the container.

4. A spray attachment of the character de scribed, said attachmentcomprising a body member adapted for attachment to a fluid container,said body member having a constricted axial passageway and an annularchamber of substantially larger diameter than said passageway, saidannular chamber disposed above said axial passageway and communicatingwith the latter, a plunger reciprocally movable through said chamber andsaid axial passageway, a fluid outlet extending radially through saidmember and communicating with said passageway.

5. A spray attachment, as defined in claim 4, in which said body memberhas a passageway in axial alignment with said outlet, and aspringpressed valve for closing said last-named passageway, saidvalve-closed passageway communicating with said constricted axialpassageway.

6. A spray attachment, as defined in claim 5, in which opening of saidvalve releases the air pressure in said chamber, and bleeds fluidtherein back into said container.

- '7. A spray attachment, as defined in claim 6, in which a thirdpassageway is provided in the body member, extending from said secondpassageway towards the container, said third passageway having its axisparallel with the axis of said axial passageway and annular chamber.

8. A spray attachment, as defined in claim 5, in which a thirdpassageway is provided in the body member, extending from said secondpassageway towards the container, said third passageway being spacedfrom said axial passage way and having its axis parallel with the axisof said axial passageway and annular chamber.

9. A spray attachment, as defined in claim 8, in which said valve has aplunger projecting beyond said body member, which plunger is accessiblefrom the exterior of said body member for radially-inward movement foropening said valve.

FRANK ZIHERL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 306,767 Nixon Oct. 21, 1884439,565 Saiford Oct. 28, 1890 453,406 Caswell June 2, 1891 804,675Roberts Nov. 14, 1905 1,128,412 Cockburn Feb. 16, 1915 1,227,352 WhiteMay .22, 1917 1,259,052 Starr Mar. 12, 1918 1,746,524 Corson Feb. 11,1930 1,749,216 Goldman Mar. 4, 1930 1,896,744 Frick Feb. '7, 19332,154,986 Mars Apr. .18, 1939 2,348,190 Bullock May 9, 1944 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 1 301,164 Great Britain Nov. .29, 1928

